Anirudh Suri, in his paper The Missing Pieces in India’s AI Strategy (based on developments up to February 6, 2025) examines India’s position in the global AI landscape and argues that despite recent efforts like the India AI Mission, the country remains behind leading AI powers such as the United States and China. Suri identifies three critical deficiencies—talent, data, and research—that hinder India’s AI ambitions. Author notes that while India has a strong IT workforce, it lacks a robust pipeline of world-class AI researchers, leaving it reliant on implementing existing models rather than producing fundamental AI breakthroughs.
Additionally, author highlights India’s limited access to high-quality public data, as global tech firms dominate the country’s digital ecosystem, restricting Indian researchers from building AI models suited to local needs. Suri also critiques India’s AI research ecosystem, arguing that most Indian AI professionals work on applications rather than foundational research, contrasting this with China’s state-backed institutions that drive innovation. While acknowledging India’s efforts in AI compute infrastructure, such as securing 10,000 GPUs, author asserts that hardware alone will not make India an AI leader without simultaneous investments in talent development and indigenous data infrastructure. Suri also situates the AI race within a geopolitical context, particularly regarding semiconductor supply chains, and suggests that India must balance its “AI for All” approach with policies aimed at fostering global AI competitiveness. Author recommends strengthening AI research, enhancing industry-academia collaboration, and leveraging India’s successful Digital Public Infrastructure model for AI development. Despite the challenges, Suri sees potential in India’s AI aspirations but warns that without urgent interventions, India risks being a consumer of AI technology rather than an innovator.
